High School (Grades 9-12)
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Beginning at the end of the 8th grade year, students currently enrolled in either program can choose to stay in the program or exit it. Students not currently enrolled in either program may be eligible to apply to the high school integrated programs. All students are eligible to apply for the IH program, and all students who are Alg. 2 honors ready are eligible to apply for the high school IMS program. The high school integrated programs are both two-year commitments.
Osbourn High School provides two integrated curricula:
- The Integrated Math/Science (IMS) curriculum, which has been developed for students who have consistently demonstrated exceptional ability in the areas of Math & Science and have been accepted by application into the IMS program;
- The Integrated Humanities (IH) curriculum, which has been developed for students who have consistently demonstrated exceptional ability in the areas of language arts and social studies and have been accepted by application into the program.
The application for both programs includes a teacher checklist, achievement testing, and an audition.
Gifted Resource Teacher (High School)
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Osbourn High School
Carolyn Weddel
cweddel@mcpsva.org
High School Programs
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Integrated Humanities (IH)
In the IH program, 9th grade students take Integrated English 9 alongside AP Human Geography. 10th grade students take Integrated English 10 alongside AP World 2. Document-Based Questions, community service projects, and project-based learning are all pillars to this program.
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Integrated Math & Science (IMS)
In the IMS program, 9th grade students will take Integrated Alg. 2 alongside Biology and Chemistry. 10th grade students will take Integrated Precalculus alongside Physics. A research component is built into the courses. Integrated curriculum is project-based and exposes students to conceptual understandings that can be applied to the real world.
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Honors GT Art
Students placed in Honors GT Art must submit a portfolio for review. Students will prepare to continue through the 4-year program, or begin assembling a portfolio of work to take into AP Studio Art during their senior year of high school. This course is designed to challenge the serious art student to explore creative possibilities beyond the regular art classes. During this yearlong course, students will engage in an advanced study of art processes, aesthetic issues, art criticism, art history and culture while maintaining the self-discipline of a working artist. In this yearlong course, students will continue to develop their own personal art aesthetic and create meaningful, thoughtful, and well-developed work.
The Honors GT Art Program attempts to build upon students’ skills as they become successful artists. Real world applicability and mentorship is encouraged within programming.
Examples of student artwork:
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Advanced Placement (AP) Program
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program at Osbourn High School offers college-level coursework in 16 academic disciplines. These courses are designed by the College Board to prepare students for excellence in rigorous university settings. Students who take the AP exam in a course receive a one-point weighted GPA. Recently, MCPS approved the addition of AP Seminar and AP Research, two sequential courses in the AP Capstone Program which emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, research, and public speaking. Students who complete the AP Capstone Program are eligible to receive two prestigious accolades: the AP Seminar and Research Certificate and the AP Capstone Diploma.
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Dual Enrollment Program From Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA):
“Dual Enrollment is an enrichment opportunity that allows high school students to earn college credits for courses taken through NOVA while still being enrolled in high school… Dual enrollment can provide students an opportunity to enhance their education by enrolling early in college courses. This allows students to progress toward their next academic goal without having to wait until high school graduation. Studies show that students who acquire college credits while still in high school are more likely to graduate from high school and continue their formal education.”
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Governor School at Innovation Park (GS@IP)
The GS@IP provides an alternative learning environment in a university-setting designed to meet the needs of academically talented and highly motivated learners. The STEM program provides a uniquely designed integrated science, math, engineering, and technology curriculum with real world research and application opportunities.
Students attending GS@IP will be engaged in multiple opportunities to develop their leadership skills and potential by applying their intellectual design based on research into action proposals. Students attending this partial-day program will have the opportunity to continue being involved in the social and extracurricular activities offered by OHS.
By providing a dual enrollment program, The GS@IP enables college-bound students to be challenged with college-level content while earning both high school and college credits in science and math. Students will also be awarded opportunities to interact with science researchers and learn about possible career opportunities. Application process and acceptance into the program is required. Students must apply and be accepted in a single science strand (Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics).